Managing Power Modes Of A Computing System

ABSTRACT

Managing power modes of a computing system that includes a power supply and computing components, the power supply configured to supply power, through power supply channels, to the computing components, wherein power modes are managed by: operating the computing system in a performance power mode, including allowing each power channel to consume power greater than a predefined maximum power consumption threshold; receiving a signal representing a user&#39;s access to the computing components; and operating the computing system in a safety mode, insuring that each of the power supply channels does not consume power greater than the predefined maximum power consumption threshold, including: throttling power consumption of one or more of the computing components; monitoring power consumption of each power supply channel; and shutting down the computing system when at least one power supply channel consumes power greater than the predefined maximum power consumption threshold.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is data processing, or, more specifically,methods, apparatus, and products for managing power modes of a computingsystem.

2. Description of Related Art

The development of the EDVAC computer system of 1948 is often cited asthe beginning of the computer era. Since that time, computer systemshave evolved into extremely complicated devices. Today's computers aremuch more sophisticated than early systems such as the EDVAC. Computersystems typically include a combination of hardware and softwarecomponents, application programs, operating systems, processors, buses,memory, input/output devices, and so on. As advances in semiconductorprocessing and computer architecture push the performance of thecomputer higher and higher, more sophisticated computer software hasevolved to take advantage of the higher performance of the hardware,resulting in computer systems today that are much more powerful thanjust a few years ago.

As computing system become more complex and the number of components ofthe systems increase, the power requirements for each computing systemalso increases. In fact, power requirements for some components are sohigh today that user safety has become a concern. When, for example, auser accesses the interior computing components of a computing system,while the computing system is powered, power supply lines may carry alarge amount of current. So large so, that a user may be harmed ifphysical contact occurs. To that end, Underwriters Laboratories (‘UL’)has set a standard for safety in which power supply lines accessible bynon-electricians may provide no more than 240 VA. For users that operatemay computing systems at one time—in a data center, for example—thecost, in money and time, of hiring a licensed electrician is often toogreat. As such, most users require 240 VA standards to be employed ineach computing system. To that end, many computing systems areconfigured with multiple 240 VA channels. As systems have become morepowerful, the number of these channels have grown exponentially. As thenumber of these channel increases, the cost and complexity ofimplementing the system increases and inefficiency increases due toavailable power be limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Methods, apparatus, and products for managing power modes of a computingsystem are disclosed in this specification. The computing systemincludes a power supply and a plurality of computing components, wherethe power supply is configured to supply power, through a plurality ofpower supply channels, to the computing components. Managing power modesincludes: operating, by a power control unit, the computing system in aperformance power mode, including allowing each power channel to consumepower greater than a predefined maximum power consumption threshold;receiving, by the power control unit, a signal representing a user'saccess to the computing components; and operating, by the power controlunit, the computing system in a safety mode, insuring that each of thepower supply channels does not consume power greater than the predefinedmaximum power consumption threshold, including: throttling, by the powercontrol unit, power consumption of one or more of the computingcomponents; monitoring, by the power control unit, power consumption ofeach power supply channel; and shutting down the computing system whenat least one power supply channel consumes power greater than thepredefined maximum power consumption threshold.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescriptions of exemplary embodiments of the invention as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generallyrepresent like parts of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 sets forth a system for managing power modes of a computingsystem according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 sets forth a block diagram of an exemplary computing system forwhich power modes are managed in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 sets forth a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method formanaging power modes of a computing system according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 sets forth a flow chart illustrating an further exemplary methodfor managing power modes of a computing system according to embodimentsof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary methods, apparatus, and products for managing power modes of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention are describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings, beginning with FIG. 1. FIG.1 sets forth a system for managing power modes of a computing systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention. The system of FIG. 1includes a multi-server chassis in the form of a blade server chassis(106). A blade server chassis is an enclosure in which blade servers aswell as other electrical components are installed. The chassis providescooling for servers, data communications networking connections,input/output device connections, power connections, and so on as willoccur to those of skill in the art. One example blade server chassis isIBM's BladeCenter. An IBM BladeCenter E includes 14 blade slots, ashared media tray with an optical drive, floppy drive, and UniversalSerial Bus (‘USB’) port, one or more management modules, two or morepower supplies, two redundant high speed blowers, two slots for GigabitEthernet switches, and two slots for optional switch or pass-throughmodules such as Ethernet, Fibre Channel, InfiniBand or Myrient 2000modules.

The example blade server chassis (106) of Figure includes ten bladeservers (118-127). A server, as the term is used in this specification,refers generally to a multi-user computer that provides a service (e.g.database access, file transfer, remote access) or resources (e.g. filespace) over a network connection. The term ‘server,’ as contextrequires, refers inclusively to the server's computer hardware as wellas any server application software or operating system software runningon the server. A server application is an application program thataccepts connections in order to service requests from users by sendingback responses. A server application can run on the same computer as theclient application using it, or a server application can acceptconnections through a computer network. Examples of server applicationsinclude file server, database server, backup server, print server, mailserver, web server, FTP servers, application servers, VPN servers, DHCPservers, DNS servers, WINS servers, logon servers, security servers,domain controllers, backup domain controllers, proxy servers, firewalls,and so on.

Blade servers are self-contained servers, designed for high density. Asa practical matter, all computers are implemented with electricalcomponents requiring power that produces heat. Components such asprocessors, memory, hard drives, power supplies, storage and networkconnections, keyboards, video components, a mouse, and so on, merelysupport the basic computing function, yet they all add bulk, heat,complexity, and moving parts that are more prone to failure thansolid-state components. In the blade paradigm, most of these functionsare removed from the blade computer, being either provided by the bladeserver chassis (DC power) virtualized (iSCSI storage, remote consoleover IP), or discarded entirely (serial ports). The blade itself becomessimpler, smaller, and amenable to dense installation with many bladeservers in a single blade server chassis.

In addition to the blade servers (109-127), the blade server chassis(104, 106) in the example of FIG. 1 also house several other electricalcomponents including a power supply (132), a data communications router(130), a switch (134) a RAID array (136), a power strip (138) and amanagement module (152).

A management module is an aggregation of computer hardware and softwarethat is installed in a server chassis to provide support services forcomputing devices, such as blade servers. Support services provided bythe management module (152) include monitoring health of computingdevices and reporting health statistics to a system management server,power management and power control, save and restore configurations,discovery of available computing devices, event log management, memorymanagement, and so on. An example of a management module that can beadapted for use in systems that manage power modes of a computing systemin accordance with the present invention includes IBM's AdvancedManagement Module (‘AMM’).

In the example of FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of the managementmodule (152) is depicted. The management module (152) of FIG. 1 includesat least one computer processor (156) or ‘CPU’ as well as random accessmemory (168) (‘RAM’) which is connected through a high speed memory bus(166) and bus adapter (158) to processor (156) and to other componentsof the computer (152).

Stored in RAM (168) is a management application (128), a module ofcomputer program instructions for provide support services for computingdevices, such as blade servers. The management application (128) alsoincludes a power control unit (129), a module of computer programinstructions that, when executed, cause the management module (152) tomanage power modes of a computing system in accordance with embodimentsof the present invention. The term ‘computing system’ as used in FIG. 1refers to any combination of a computing components, power supply, andpower control unit. In the example of FIG. 1, a computing system may beimplemented as a combination of a blade server, its power supply, andthe power control unit.

A power mode, as the term is used in this specification, refers to amode of computing system operation related to power consumption ofcomponents within a computing system. Power is provided to thecomponents of the computing system by a power supply (132) through aplurality of power supply channels. Each power supply channel providespower to a different set of components, even though a single powersupply provides power to all power supply channels.

The power control unit (129) switches the computing system between thepower modes. That is, the power control unit is configured to operatethe a computing system in one of several modes: in a performance powermode in which the each power channel may consume power greater than apredefined maximum power consumption threshold and in a safety mode inwhich the power control unit insures that each of the power supplychannels does not consume power greater than the predefined maximumpower threshold. In the safety mode, the power control unit (129) maythrottle power consumption of one or more of the computing components;monitor power consumption of each power supply channel; and shut downthe computing system when at least one power supply channel consumespower greater than the predefined maximum power consumption threshold.The power control unit (129) may effect such throttling, monitoring, andshutting down through various means of a data communications between themanagement module (152) and the computing system (e.g. the bladeservers). For example, the power control unit (129) may effectthrottling, monitoring, and shutting down with data communications fromthe management module (152) and the computing system via a serviceprocessor (204) and out-of-band data communications links or via thein-band data communications network (100).

In some embodiments the predefined maximum threshold of the safety modeis 240 VA (Volt-Amp). If any single channel exceeds 240 VA, the powercontrol unit (129) shuts down the computing system. The 240 VA thresholdrelates to a generally accepted safety standard set forth byUnderwriters Laboratory (‘UL’). The 240 VA safety standard generallystates that unless a powered system is regulated to consume no morepower than 240 VA, a licensed electrician is required for physicalaccess the powered system. That is, any person other than a licensedelectrician is forbidden physical access to the powered system.

The power control unit (129) is configured to switch from theperformance power mode to the safety mode upon receiving a signalrepresenting a user's access to the computing components. In someembodiments, the computing system is housed in a chassis and the chassisincludes a safety cover and a switching mechanism activated upon openingof the safety cover. The power control unit (129) may receive a signalrepresenting a user's access to the computing components by sensing theswitching mechanism's activation upon the user opening the safety cover.In this way, the power control unit enables the computing system tooperate above 240 VA when no user is accessing the computing system andoperate below 240 VA when a user is actually accessing the computingsystem.

Although the power control unit (129) is depicted in the example systemof FIG. 1 as a module of computer program instructions, readers of skillin the art will recognize that the power control unit (129) may also beimplemented as a module of computer hardware, an FPGA, an ASIC forexample, or a service processor for example. Moreover, the power controlunit (129) may not be implemented as part of a management module.Instead, the power control unit (129) may be implemented in as acomputing component within a computing device, as a module of the powersupply, or in other ways as will occur to readers of skill in the art.

Also stored in RAM (168) is an operating system (154). Operating systemsuseful in computers that manage power modes of a computing systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention include UNIX™, Linux™,Microsoft XP™, AIX™, IBM's i5/OS™, and others as will occur to those ofskill in the art. The operating system (154), management application(128), and power control unit (129) in the example of FIG. 1 are shownin RAM (168), but many components of such software typically are storedin non-volatile memory also, such as, for example, on a disk drive(170).

The management module (152) of FIG. 1 includes disk drive adapter (172)coupled through expansion bus (160) and bus adapter (158) to processor(156) and other components of the management module (152). Disk driveadapter (172) connects non-volatile data storage to the managementmodule (152) in the form of disk drive (170). Disk drive adapters usefulin management modules that manage power modes of a computing systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention include IntegratedDrive Electronics (‘IDE’) adapters, Small Computer System Interface(‘SCSI’) adapters, and others as will occur to those of skill in theart. Non-volatile computer memory also may be implemented for as anoptical disk drive, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(so-called ‘EEPROM’ or ‘Flash’ memory), RAM drives, and so on, as willoccur to those of skill in the art.

The example management module (152) of FIG. 1 includes one or moreinput/output (‘I/O’) adapters (178). I/O adapters implementuser-oriented input/output through, for example, software drivers andcomputer hardware for controlling output to display devices such ascomputer display screens, as well as user input from user input devices(181) such as keyboards and mice. The example management module (152) ofFIG. 1 includes a video adapter (209), which is an example of an I/Oadapter specially designed for graphic output to a display device (180)such as a display screen or computer monitor. Video adapter (209) isconnected to processor (156) through a high speed video bus (164), busadapter (158), and the front side bus (162), which is also a high speedbus.

The exemplary management module (152) of FIG. 1 includes acommunications adapter (167) for data communications with othercomputers (118-127) and for data communications with a datacommunications network (100). Such data communications may be carriedout serially through RS-232 connections, through external buses such asa Universal Serial Bus (‘USB’), through data communications networkssuch as IP data communications networks, and in other ways as will occurto those of skill in the art. Communications adapters implement thehardware level of data communications through which one computer sendsdata communications to another computer, directly or through a datacommunications network. Examples of communications adapters useful insystems that manage power modes of a computing system according toembodiments of the present invention include modems for wired dial-upcommunications, Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) adapters for wired datacommunications network communications, and 802.11 adapters for wirelessdata communications network communications.

The arrangement of servers, chassis, routers, power supplies, managementmodules, and other devices making up the exemplary system illustrated inFIG. 1 are for explanation, not for limitation. Data processing systemsuseful according to various embodiments of the present invention mayinclude additional servers, routers, other devices, and peer-to-peerarchitectures, not shown in FIG. 1, as will occur to those of skill inthe art. Networks in such data processing systems may support many datacommunications protocols, including for example TCP (TransmissionControl Protocol), IP (Internet Protocol), HTTP (HyperText TransferProtocol), WAP (Wireless Access Protocol), HDTP (Handheld DeviceTransport Protocol), and others as will occur to those of skill in theart. Various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented ona variety of hardware platforms in addition to those illustrated in FIG.1.

For further explanation, FIG. 2 sets forth a block diagram of anexemplary computing system for which power modes are managed inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. The examplecomputing system (202) of FIG. 2 includes a power supply (204) and aplurality of computing components (218, 220, 222, 224, 226).Specifically, the computing system (202) includes a computer processor(218), memory (220), memory (222), other system components (224), and afan (226). The power supply (204) is configured to supply power, througha plurality of power supply channels (228), voltage regulators (208,210, 212, 214) and passthrough circuitry (216), to the computingcomponents (218, 220, 222, 224, 226).

The example computing system (202) of FIG. 2 also includes a powercontrol unit (206) which is configured to operate the computing system(202) in a performance power mode by allowing each power channel (228)to consume power greater than a predefined maximum power consumptionthreshold. In some embodiments, the power control unit (206), during theperformance power mode, may also monitor current draw of each powersupply channel (228) through current sense signals (232) and, upondetecting an overcurrent condition in at least one power supply channel,and shutting down the computing system. Such a shut down may be effectedby various including, for example, by through the control signal (230)coupling the power control unit (206) to the power supply (204).

‘Shutting down’ the computing system in this specification may beimplemented in a variety of ways. One way, for example, is to put thecomputing system into an ‘S5’ power state in accordance with AdvanceConfiguration and Power Interface (‘ACPI’) standard. The ACPI standardprovides an open standard for device configuration and power managementby operating systems. The ACPI standard specifies various power states,including the following seven states (so-called global states) for anACPI-compliant computer-system:

-   -   G0 (S0): Working    -   G1(S1-S4): Sleeping        -   S1: All processor caches are flushed, and the CPU(s) stop            executing instructions. Power to the CPU(s) and RAM is            maintained; devices that do not indicate they must remain on            may be powered down.        -   S2: CPU powered off        -   S3: Commonly referred to as Standby, Sleep, or Suspend to            RAM. RAM remains powered        -   S4: Hibernation or Suspend to Disk. All content of main            memory is saved to non-volatile memory such as a hard drive,            and is powered down.    -   G2 (S5), Soft Off: G2 is almost the same as G3 Mechanical Off,        but some components remain powered so the computer can “wake”        from input from the keyboard, clock, modem, LAN, or USB device.    -   G3, Mechanical Off: The computer's power consumption approaches        close to zero, to the point that the power cord can be removed        and the system is safe for disassembly (typically, only the        real-time clock is running off its own small battery).

In the example of FIG. 2, the computing system (202) is housed in achassis that includes a safety cover and a switching mechanism (236)that is activated upon opening of the safety cover. Upon the safetycover being opened while the computing system (202) operates in theperformance power mode, the power control unit (206) receives a signal(238) representing a user's access to the computing components bysensing the switching mechanism's (236) activation.

Upon receipt of the access signal (238), the power control unit (206)switches power modes of the computing system, operating the computingsystem in a safety mode. In the safety mode, the power control unit(206) insures that each of the power supply channels (228) does notconsume power greater than the predefined maximum power consumptionthreshold. The power control unit (206) when switching the computingsystem (202) to the safety mode throttles power consumption of one ormore of the computing components (218, 220, 222, 224, 226), and monitorspower consumption of each power supply channel (228). In someembodiments, the power control unit (206) throttles one or more computerprocessors o the computing system (202). The power control unit (206)may commence throttling through a throttle signal (234). The powercontrol unit (206) may effect throttling of a computing component invarious ways, through direct control of the component, through directcontrol of other computer hardware, through indirect control viasoftware, and in other ways as will occur to readers of skill in theart. In some embodiments, operation of the power supply itself is notdirectly controlled by the power control unit (206) but rather,indirectly controlled by the power control units throttling of thecomputing components. That is, in some embodiments, power consumption isthrottled with no need to throttle power supply.

When at least one power supply channel consumes power greater than thepredefined maximum power consumption threshold, the power control unit(206) shuts down the computing system when at least one power supplychannel consumes power greater than the predefined maximum powerconsumption threshold. Again, the power control unit (206) may place thecomputing system (202) in and S5 state through control signals (230)between the power control unit (206) and the power supply (204).

For further explanation, FIG. 3 sets forth a flow chart illustrating anexemplary method for managing power modes of a computing systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention. The computing systemis similar to the example computing system (202) of FIG. 2 and includesa power supply and a plurality of computing components. The power supplyis configured to supply power, through a plurality of power supplychannels, to the computing components.

The method of FIG. 3 includes operating (302), by a power control unit,the computing system in a performance power mode, including allowingeach power channel to consume power greater than a predefined maximumpower consumption threshold. Operating (302) the computing system in aperformance power mode may be carried out by disabling the predefinedmaximum power consumption threshold and not monitoring power consumptionof the power supply channels. In the performance power mode, thecomputing system may operate with normal ACPI power states S1-S5 asdescribed above.

The method FIG. 3 also includes receiving (304), by the power controlunit, a signal (238) representing a user's access to the computingcomponents. In embodiments in which the computing system is housed in achassis and the chassis includes a safety cover and a switchingmechanism activated upon opening of the safety cover, receiving (304) asignal (238) representing a user's access to the computing component mayinclude sensing the switching mechanism's activation upon the useropening the safety cover. Readers of skill in the art will recognizethat receiving a signal representing a user's access may occur in avariety of other ways. For example, a computing system may include abutton, a switch or some other mechanical user interface designated togenerate the signal upon a user's interaction. Alternatively, a softwaremodule may be employed through which a user may request access to thesystem and the software module may generate and transmit the signal tothe power control unit.

Upon receipt of the access signal (238), the method of FIG. 2 continuesby operating (308), by the power control unit, the computing system in asafety mode, insuring that each of the power supply channels does notconsume power greater than the predefined maximum power consumptionthreshold (306). In the method of FIG. 2, operating (308), by the powercontrol unit, the computing system in a safety mode is carried out bythrottling (310) power consumption of one or more of the computingcomponents, monitoring (312) power consumption of each power supplychannel, and shutting (314) down the computing system when at least onepower supply channel consumes power greater than the predefined maximumpower consumption threshold.

For further explanation, FIG. 4 sets forth a flow chart illustrating anfurther exemplary method for managing power modes of a computing systemaccording to embodiments of the present invention. The method of FIG. 4is similar to the method of FIG. 3 in that in the method of FIG. 4, thecomputing system includes a power supply and a plurality of computingcomponents. The power supply is configured to supply power, through aplurality of power supply channels, to the computing components. Themethod of FIG. 4 is also similar to the method of FIG. 3 in that themethod of FIG. 4 includes operating (302) the computing system in aperformance power mode; receiving (304) a signal representing a user'saccess to the computing components; and operating (308) the computingsystem in a safety mode, including: throttling (310) power consumptionof one or more of the computing components; monitoring (312) powerconsumption of each power supply channel; and shutting (314) down thecomputing system when at least one power supply channel consumes powergreater than the predefined maximum power consumption threshold.

The method of FIG. 4 differs from the method of FIG. 3 in that in themethod of FIG. 4 operating (302) the computing system in a performancepower mode includes: monitoring (402), by the power control unit duringoperation of the computing system in the performance power mode, currentdraw of each power supply channel; detecting (404), by the power controlunit, an overcurrent condition in at least one power supply channel; andshutting (406) down the computing system. That is, even in theperformance power mode where the power supply channels are allowed toconsume power over the predefined maximum power consumption threshold,the power control unit provide overcurrent protection.

The method of FIG. 4 also differs from the method of FIG. 3 in that inthe method of FIG. 4 throttling (310) power consumption of one or moreof the computing components is carried out by throttling (408) the powerconsumption for a predefined period of time.

The predefined period of time may be specified as an average amount oftime between a user opening a safety cover and setting a new,predetermined power consumption threshold against which the computingsystem operates. In this way, immediately, upon a user opening thesafety cover and prior to the establishment of the predetermined powerconsumption threshold, the computing system is throttled, therebyprotecting in the interim.

Alternatively, the predefined period of time may be specified as anamount of time that a user typically takes, on average, to open a safetycover, inspect or repair computing components, and close the safetycover. In most instances, a user's access will be complete prior to ornear the expiration of the predefined period of time. After that time,throttling will cease. Even if the user continues to access the systemafter throttling has ceased (expiration of the predefined period oftime), there is no guarantee that any one channel will exceed thepredefined maximum power consumption threshold. Even if one channel doesmomentarily exceed the predefined maximum power consumption threshold,the power control unit is configured to immediately shut the computingsystem down, thereby protecting the user accessing the computingcomponents. Further, once throttling is ceased, the computing componentsmay perform at a higher level—even if consuming less than the predefinedmaximum power consumption threshold. In this way, a balance between usersafety and computing system performance is provided.

In view of the explanations set forth above, readers will recognize thatthe benefits of managing power modes in a computing system according toembodiments of the present invention include:

-   -   providing safety measures for users accessing high voltage        computing components;    -   reducing costs by enabling users other than licensed        electricians to access the computing components;    -   reducing complexity, and thereby cost, of circuit boards and        power supply channels by reducing the number of independent        channels necessary to provide safety operation; and    -   increasing potential performance of computing systems (when in        performance power mode) while maintaining safety requirements        only when needed; and    -   other benefits as will occur to readers of skill in the art.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described above with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that modificationsand changes may be made in various embodiments of the present inventionwithout departing from its true spirit. The descriptions in thisspecification are for purposes of illustration only and are not to beconstrued in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention islimited only by the language of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of managing power modes of a computingsystem, the computing system comprising a power supply and a pluralityof computing components, the power supply configured to supply power,through a plurality of power supply channels, to the computingcomponents, the method comprising: operating, by a power control unit,the computing system in a performance power mode, including allowingeach power channel to consume power greater than a predefined maximumpower consumption threshold; receiving, by the power control unit, asignal representing a user's access to the computing components; andoperating, by the power control unit, the computing system in a safetymode, insuring that each of the power supply channels does not consumepower greater than the predefined maximum power consumption threshold,including: throttling, by the power control unit, power consumption ofone or more of the computing components; monitoring, by the powercontrol unit, power consumption of each power supply channel; andshutting down the computing system when at least one power supplychannel consumes power greater than the predefined maximum powerconsumption threshold.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein: throttlingpower consumption of the computing components further comprisesthrottling the power consumption for a predefined period of time.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein: the computing system comprises a chassis, thechassis comprises a safety cover and a switching mechanism activatedupon opening of the safety cover; and receiving a signal representing auser's access to the computing component further comprises sensing theswitching mechanism's activation upon the user opening the safety cover.4. The method of claim 1 wherein: the computing components comprise acomputer processor; and throttling power consumption of one or more ofthe computing components further comprises throttling utilization of thecomputer processor.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein: shutting thecomputing system down further comprises setting a power state of thecomputing system to S5 in accordance with the Advanced Configuration andPower Interface (‘ACPI’) standard.
 6. The method of claim 1 whereinoperating the computing system in a performance power mode furthercomprises: monitoring, by the power control unit during operation of thecomputing system in the performance power mode, current draw of eachpower supply channel; detecting, by the power control unit, anovercurrent condition in at least one power supply channel; and shuttingdown the computing system.
 7. An apparatus for managing power modes of acomputing system, the computing system comprising a power supply and aplurality of computing components, the power supply configured to supplypower, through a plurality of power supply channels, to the computingcomponents, the apparatus comprising a computer processor, a computermemory operatively coupled to the computer processor, the computermemory having disposed within it computer program instructions that,when executed, cause the apparatus to carry out the steps of: operating,by a power control unit, the computing system in a performance powermode, including allowing each power channel to consume power greaterthan a predefined maximum power consumption threshold; receiving, by thepower control unit, a signal representing a user's access to thecomputing components; and operating, by the power control unit, thecomputing system in a safety mode, insuring that each of the powersupply channels does not consume power greater than the predefinedmaximum power consumption threshold, including: throttling, by the powercontrol unit, power consumption of one or more of the computingcomponents; monitoring, by the power control unit, power consumption ofeach power supply channel; and shutting down the computing system whenat least one power supply channel consumes power greater than thepredefined maximum power consumption threshold.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein: throttling power consumption of the computingcomponents further comprises throttling the power consumption for apredefined period of time.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: thecomputing system comprises a chassis, the chassis comprises a safetycover and a switching mechanism activated upon opening of the safetycover; and receiving a signal representing a user's access to thecomputing component further comprises sensing the switching mechanism'sactivation upon the user opening the safety cover.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein: the computing components comprise a computer processor;and throttling power consumption of one or more of the computingcomponents further comprises throttling utilization of the computerprocessor.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: shutting the computingsystem down further comprises setting a power state of the computingsystem to S5 in accordance with the Advanced Configuration and PowerInterface (‘ACPI’) standard.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7 whereinoperating the computing system in a performance power mode furthercomprises: monitoring, by the power control unit during operation of thecomputing system in the performance power mode, current draw of eachpower supply channel; detecting, by the power control unit, anovercurrent condition in at least one power supply channel; and shuttingdown the computing system.
 13. A computer program product for managingpower modes of a computing system, the computing system comprising apower supply and a plurality of computing components, the power supplyconfigured to supply power, through a plurality of power supplychannels, to the computing components, the computer program productdisposed upon a computer readable medium, the computer program productcomprising computer program instructions that, when executed, cause acomputer to carry out the steps of: operating, by a power control unit,the computing system in a performance power mode, including allowingeach power channel to consume power greater than a predefined maximumpower consumption threshold; receiving, by the power control unit, asignal representing a user's access to the computing components; andoperating, by the power control unit, the computing system in a safetymode, insuring that each of the power supply channels does not consumepower greater than the predefined maximum power consumption threshold,including: throttling, by the power control unit, power consumption ofone or more of the computing components; monitoring, by the powercontrol unit, power consumption of each power supply channel; andshutting down the computing system when at least one power supplychannel consumes power greater than the predefined maximum powerconsumption threshold.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13wherein: throttling power consumption of the computing componentsfurther comprises throttling the power consumption for a predefinedperiod of time.
 15. The computer program product of claim 13 wherein:the computing system comprises a chassis, the chassis comprises a safetycover and a switching mechanism activated upon opening of the safetycover; and receiving a signal representing a user's access to thecomputing component further comprises sensing the switching mechanism'sactivation upon the user opening the safety cover.
 16. The computerprogram product of claim 13 wherein: the computing components comprise acomputer processor; and throttling power consumption of one or more ofthe computing components further comprises throttling utilization of thecomputer processor.
 17. The computer program product of claim 13wherein: shutting the computing system down further comprises setting apower state of the computing system to S5 in accordance with theAdvanced Configuration and Power Interface (‘ACPI’) standard.
 18. Thecomputer program product of claim 13 wherein operating the computingsystem in a performance power mode further comprises: monitoring, by thepower control unit during operation of the computing system in theperformance power mode, current draw of each power supply channel;detecting, by the power control unit, an overcurrent condition in atleast one power supply channel; and shutting down the computing system.19. The computer program product of claim 13 wherein the computerreadable medium comprises a signal medium.
 20. The computer programproduct of claim 13 wherein the computer readable medium comprises astorage medium.